Author: Shweta Rao

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Sipping on Childhood Dreams | Meet the Founder of Dweller Teas – Eli Yambem

Published by Shweta Rao

Fresh, dynamic and young Eli Yambem brings us a story not very different from other young entrepreneurs of today.  Yambem was living the good life being a financial analyst at multinational firms in thriving cities like London and Singapore. But, a few years ago, Yambem had an epiphany.  And that’s where her story gets unique. Eli found the disconnect of staying away from her family and her home exhausting. But when she did begin looking for opportunities to move back home, she found there were none. Instead of sitting back and lamenting about it, Yambem took charge of the moment and asked herself, “Can I do something about it?” “I was born in Imphal (Manipur) and left home at the age of 12 for education. Fourteen years later, I decided to come back to live close to my family and work on Dweller full-time. Prior to this, I spent three years in London and Singapore, working as a Financial analyst and auditor respectively.” Inspired by the pure nature and culture around which she grew up, Yambem …

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Meet Kekhrie Ringa – Rising Broadway Style Singer from Nagaland

Published by Shweta Rao

Outspoken, yet cool-as-a-cucumber, budding artist and singer Kekhrie Ringa has never been a voice that blends into the background. Not surprisingly, she’s also one of the very few rising singing stars in the Broadway genre in India. In her own words, “I sing and teach vocals for a living” Kekhrie works at the Music Academy Kohima as a vocal teacher, and she is also a part of the gospel rock band ‘Fireflood’ – a seven-member band, based out of Bangalore. I sing and teach vocals for a living” Kekhrie Ringa, Nagaland Shweta Rao: Hey Kekhrie, feel so good to have you here with us! So tell us – who according to you – is Kekhrie Ringa? Kekhrie Ringa: I am a singer and a vocal teacher. I was born in Mokokchung, but I currently live in Kohima. I am a Broadway-style singer and admire Kirsten Chenoweth for her work in the genre. She is an amazing Broadway star. Also, Christina Aguilera was, is, and will forever be my favorite. I finished my Bachelor in Arts …

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Bringing Forward Untold Stories | Meet Rita Krocha – Founder of PenThrill Publication House

Published by Shweta Rao

Rita Krocha is a writer’s writer. An owner of opinions that act as a cut-through voice in the noise that is contemporary literature. Which is to say that she has gone through the grind of a typical journalist and penned interesting stories throughout her career. As the owner of her book publishing company, PenThrill Publication House, Krocha is aiming to take that journey further. Read on to know more about Krocha, the simple writer behind some of the most intricately laden Indian fiction books today. Hi Rita, tell us a bit about yourself. When did you start working as a writer? My name’s Vishü Rita Krocha and I’m 34. I have a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication. I started my career in journalism as a weekly columnist in 2006 and later joined Eastern Mirror Daily in 2008 as a news correspondent and continued to write for them for five years. Later, I found myself interested in learning about the publishing industry. That’s why I decided to go for a certificate course in Book Publishing …

Fashion Designer Khrielasier Liezietsu

“At the Age of 13, I Debuted my First Fashion Show” 20-Year-Old Fashion Student Khrielasier Liezietsu from Nagaland

Published by Shweta Rao

Meet  20-year-old fashion student and budding designer, Khrielasier Liezietsu comes from a breed of designers that are not made in design institutes or fashion houses. They are born with fire. Although he has just joined NIFT Delhi to pursue his passion, Khrielasier, at a very young age has already produced eight collections and participated in more than 30 fashion shows. We spoke with Liezietsu to find out more about his humble beginnings and sky-high ambitions. this  content Born and brought up in Kohima, Nagaland, Khrielasier Liezietsu is currently pursuing a degree in Fashion Design from NIFT, Delhi. R&L: When did you realize you wanted to be a fashion designer?  Khrielashier: I grew up very close to my mother and was constantly in her company. I used to watch her sew clothes for hours together. Slowly, my natural instincts told me to try my hands at the sewing machine. My mom was quick to notice my keen interest and encouraged me to start sewing clothes. I started sewing at the tender age of six and I never stopped loving …

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Meet This Talented 18 Year Old Freestyle Photographer from Manipur | Goutam Raj Thoudam

Published by Shweta Rao

  By capturing tiny specks of time and space and holding them still within his frame, a great photographer helps us explore the totality of our world, such that we never see it in the same way again. Thanks to picture-heavy sites like Instagram, today photography has become a global racket of freeze-frames. Millions of pictures are created every second and everyone enjoys being a subject. One cannot help but wonder, how, in this quasi-egalitarian world of millions of images, do today’s photographers continue to stand out. Hobbyist photographer Goutam Raj doesn’t find it difficult at all! Say hi to 18 year old freestyle photographer, Goutam Raj Thoudam from Imphal, Manipur. Currently a student in 12th standard, this kid is passionate about photography and has already gathered admirers from across the borders. How did photography turn into a serious hobby for you? I got interested in photography about four years ago. My dad bought a Canon 60D camera for his use. The camera sparked an interest in me and I couldn’t resist trying my hands at it. …

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Limhathung from Nagaland – Founder of Baafoon, Talks About His New Venture.

Published by Shweta Rao

“Hi! My name is Limha and I am the father of Baafoon. I am a designer/artist by day and sleeping by night. I am in my early twenties, finished my studies and now work time for Baafoon. Now I am Baafoon.” Meet Limhathung from Nagaland, a young artist /graphic designer, turned entrepreneur. He is the founder of Baafoon – an online store that sells the geekiest, coolest and most kawaii (cute) products. When and why did you decide to start a venture of your own After barely finishing my studies in animation film design (I failed in most of the subjects), I found myself being bored and broke most of the time. I was not happy with who I was turning out to be. So, I started using the internet more often and decided to put it to good use. Then I got to know about some really successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Mark Cuban, Jack Ma, Binny Bansal and others who inspired me to start my own venture.   I started out by living …

RootsandLeisure_ImliakumAier

Losing Our Hearts to Nagaland’s Very Own John Mayer | Imliakum Aier

Published by Shweta Rao

“Poise, prose, and passion make a great musician,” goes a famous saying. Nah! We just made that up. But it’s true! Most of our favorite artists today have struck a chord with millions of fans not just for being good singers. They gotta have the looks and be completely invested in their music beginning from lyrics, to costume, and even their Instagram posts. It’s what the music industry calls ‘a whole package’. Somewhere amidst the bustling, vibrant city of Kohima, Imliakum Aier is strumming a guitar whipping up a new tune for his brainchild, a young band of funky young musicians aptly named The Electric Cool Kid. Aier sports a pair of Lennon round sunglasses, a funky Hawaiian shirt and a pensive look that would put John Mayer to shame. One cannot help but think that Nagaland’s music scene has found its whole package. We spoke with Imliakum to get to know him and how this budding artist weaves magic through his simple lyrics. Tell us about the musician in Imliakum Aier. When did realise you wanted …

Meet the Artist Who Turns People Into Ridiculously Cute Doodles | Awele Kapfo from Nagaland

Published by Shweta Rao

Everybody loves doodling. There’s just something about an idle moment and a blank page that sparks ideas on our minds. When words fail to convey an idea, an ingenious doodle can blaze through our cognitive minds and set the world alight. Our featured artist for the week, creative doodle illustrator, and watercolor artist Awele Kapfo brings beautiful artwork to life. Let’s get to know her! Awele, 21 is a final year Economics student from Nagaland, whose cute and quirky illustrations are creating quite a buzz on social media. Your doodles look pretty awesome! How did you get started? My love for doodles began when I discovered an app called ‘Doodlr’ on Google Play. The app resembled Instagram – but for artists. Unfortunately, the developers could not keep up with the expenses of the server and it closed down this February.  That’s when I decided to (finally) join Instagram, and start putting up my watercolor illustrations resembling the doodles I used to make on ‘Doodlr’. I had started experimenting with watercolors after I saw the posts by a German water colorist …

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Meet Mangka Mayanglambam – An Inspirational Manipuri Folk Performer.

Published by Shweta Rao

Indian classical music has reached international fame and recognized at a global level. But, the Indian folk culture, talking of the existing in predominantly rural communities today, does not enjoy the same celebratory status. Partly, because tribal and folk music is not taught in disciplinary formats similar to Indian classical music. Fortunately, that’s changing today, as Indian youths are picking up folk music to express themselves on various platforms and sustaining their roots and culture for the ages to come. Today at R&L, we showcase an important folk performer, Mangka, who’s a musical revolution that state youth forums are rejoicing over. She has put Manipuri folk singing on the international map and is the voice that has popularized Manipuri folk song form, Pena. Meet Mangka Mayanglambam – Folk Song Artist and Performer at the Laihui Ensemble from Imphal, Manipur. Mangka acquired the knowledge of folk music from her father, Mangangsana, a renowned Pena artist and recipient of Ustad Bismilah Khan Yuva Puraskar in 2008. Mangka started learning Moirang Sai and Basok (a rare traditional female performing …

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Portraits and Weddings | Photographer Atsen Murry of Pixel Stories, Shares His Story.

Published by Shweta Rao

Though a lot of photographers seek to bring a soft touch to weddings through their work, Atsen Murry takes his clients’ most celebrated moments to another level. Very few artists provide quite the insider’s view through photos as beautifully as Atsen Murry – the photographer behind ‘Pixel Stories’. Murry’s Pixel Stories is a collection of photographs of ordinary people looking extraordinarily beautiful. Given his popularity, we wanted to learn more about the technique that makes it happen. Thankfully, we recently had the opportunity to ask Atsen a few questions about his work and what makes him tick. How did photography happen to you? I spent the first 15 years of my life in Nagaland. I have always had the bent of mind and cravings of an artist. In the beginning, I found a creative outlet in music, especially in composing tunes. I am still into compositions – sometimes with musical notes, and at other times with light. I did try out some conventional pursuits because of social pressure, like getting done with my pre-university degree in science from …